The Electric Power Corporation (E.P.C.) has invited bids for the construction of a 750 kilowatt Tiapapata Small Hydro Power Station.

This was confirmed by the General Manager of E.P.C., Tologata Tile Tuimaleali'ifano, during an interview with the Samoa Observer.

“We have started the tender for that project,” he said.

Tologata added that hydro is the proven technology or source of power generation for Samoa.

“Unless we are faced with more sunny days and less rain, we can’t produce a lot of electricity, then we are at a loss," he said.

“And it is not like the solar and wind that has many technical problems in terms of supplying electricity. Its capacity is only 750 kilowatt, it may be a small contribution but our first priority is the development of hydro power plants.”

He added that another advantage for hydro is that it is not expensive to operate.

“We do not have an estimated amount for the cost of the project because we are still in the tender process," he said.

“Samoa’s target to achieve 100 per cent renewable energy generation for electricity is not easy."

According to criteria of the bidding process, international competitive bidding will be conducted in accordance with Ministry of Finance's Single-Envelope Bidding procedure.

It is open to all bidders from eligible countries as described in the Bidding Document.